City on a Hill Charter Public School
Minutes
September 2018 Board Meeting
Date and Time
Monday September 17, 2018 at 6:00 PM
Location
City on a Hill - Circuit Street, 58 Circuit Street, Roxbury, MA 02119
Trustees Present
Cara Stillings-Candal, Ginger Parker, Kim Wechtenhiser, Lori Stevens, Matt Shaw, Mike Rosen
Trustees Absent
Alex Valdez, Greg Vasey, Jeff Jablow, Karin Wall, Melisa Lemire
Ex Officio Members Present
Kevin Taylor
Non Voting Members Present
Kevin Taylor
Guests Present
Diana Mastrocola, Elizabeth Dignan, Jackie Hayes, Jordan Lopez, Katie Kline, Lauren Chrystal, Lauren Looney, Nadine Abraham, Nathan Walsh, Nolan Piccola, Sam Larkan, Sonya Pratt
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
Ginger Parker called a meeting of the board of trustees of City on a Hill Charter Public School to order on Monday Sep 17, 2018 at 6:11 PM.
C.
Board Member Send-Off
C. Stillings-Candal announced that this meeting would be both G. Parker and K. Wechtenhiser's last meeting as City on a Hill Board members. Stillings-Candal and M. Rosen each spoke briefly about the accomplishments of Parker and Wechtenhiser, respectively, during their time as Board members, and in the case of Wechtenhiser, as a previous City on a Hill teacher. Stillings-Candal then presented them with small gifts on behalf of the Board to thank them for their service.
II. Consent Agenda
A.
Approve August 2018 Meeting Minutes
Ginger Parker made a motion to approve minutes from the Annual Board Retreat on 08-10-18 SY19 Annual Board Retreat on 08-10-18.
Kim Wechtenhiser seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
B.
Approve SY19 Student Handbooks
Ginger Parker made a motion to approve policy changes in the Student Handbook.
Mike Rosen seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
C.
Approve Fiscal Policies and Proceedures
Mike Rosen made a motion to delegate authority to the Finance Committee to give final approval of the revised Fiscal Policies and Procedures.
Ginger Parker seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
D.
Delegate Approval of FY18 Audit to the Finance Committee
Kim Wechtenhiser made a motion to delegate authority to the Finance Committee to approve the FY18 Audit.
Mike Rosen seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
III. The COAH Effect & Big Rocks Revisited
A.
The COAH Effect
K. Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, led the Board through The COAH Effect, an informational dashboard designed to update the Board monthly on key indicators of success at City on a Hill. Throughout the presentation, the Board provided feedback on measures and goals to make it most useful, and Taylor informed the Board a new iteration would come in following meetings.
B.
Big Rocks Revisited
K. Taylor next reviewed his "Big Rocks," which are his identified priorities as Chief Executive Officer as identified at the August 2018 Board Retreat. These "Big Rocks" include Academic Performance, the New Bedford Charter Renewal Process, Facilities Constraints, Ideal Student Count, Long-Term Strategic Planning, and City on a Hill's 25 Anniversary. Taylor reminded the Board that he hopes to report out progress on these priorities at each meeting going forward.
IV. Open Meeting Law Refresher Training
A.
Open Meeting Law Refresher Training
J. Hayes and J. Pina led a presentation on Open Meeting Law, including an overview of required Board member trainings and disclosures, notice posting procedures, minute posting, and the use of Executive Session.
V. Governance Committee Updates
A.
Governance Committee Updates
C. Stillings-Candal presented the Board with SY19 Committee Assignments, as well as discussing Committee Goals and Board growth as a major priority for the Governance Committee this year.
VI. New Bedford Charter Renewal Preparation
A.
New Bedford Charter Renewal Preparation
J. Hayes led an overview of the New Bedford Charter Renewal Process, highlighting the areas where Board members will be asked to participate, such as the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Inspection Interview on October 15, 2018 in New Bedford. Hayes then reiterated that she will work with the Governance Committee to identify which Board members are available for interviewing.
VII. Closing Items
A.
Feedback and Next Steps
K.Taylor asked for each Board member to provide both affirming and adjusting feedback for the meeting.
B.
Adjourn Meeting
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 7:46 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ginger Parker